I have an O 322 with an electric head, and a 15 Gallon Polymer holding tank. After a long weekend with friends and family I noticed the vent loop was dripping and after further inspection, found the holding tank was full with the top bulging. After I drained the tank, the rounded bulge in the top of the tank was still there and I cannot close the compartment lid over the tank. Although it is hard to tell, the tank looks like it has baffles in the shape of an 'X' from corner to corner. These are apparently not attached to the top as it now rises about an inch higher than the square sides. I have tried squeezing the air out by standing on it, but the tank relaxes back to the bulged top. I am considering heating the tank and stacking weights on top to see if I can get it to take a 'set' in its original shape. Does anyone have a remedy for this push-button created problem. Thanks, Nelly
Overfilled holding tank bulging
- Thread starter nelly
- Start date
- Status
Don't even think of doing that...
It won't work, and is likely to crack the tank. When a cheap thin-wall tank bulges, the plastic stretches...heating it won't shrink it back to original dimension. I'm afraid your only option is a new tank. Ronco Plastics is your best source...they make top quality thick-walled tanks that don't distort for a very reasonable price, and have more than 400 shapes and sizes to choose from. Their catalog is on their website at http://www.ronco-plastics.com I seriously doubt that there are any baffles in the tank...it would be VERY unusual in a tank that size and quality. I suspect the X-shaped pattern you see in the top is most likely from the tank mold. Overfilling the tank wasn't the only thing that bulged it...your tank vent had to be blocked too..since you were able to pump out the tank, prob'ly with liquid waste that didn't create a permanent clog. And a good thing too...'cuz as much as the tank bulged, a strong pumpout pulling a vacuum against a clogged vent would prob'ly have cracked the tank. I'm not surprised you overfilled it...a 15 gal tank is barely big enough to last 2 people through a 2 day weekend. If you want to know just when you ran out of tank capacity here's the math: The average person uses the toilet 5x/day...average output 6-8 oz...average flush volume with most electric toilets is 1/2-3/4 gal. That means each person continuously aboard is gonna put at least 3 gals/day into the tank...possibly as much as 4. So not only do you need a new tank--25-30 gals if we can find room--butI strongly recommend you also install a gauge. Check out the Snake River AcuGage...the best on the market IMO, and very reasonably priced in the online chandlery here. Btw...where you do keep your boat? 'Cuz I'm also in AR (Little Rock)...possibly available to trade a "house call" for a sail.
It won't work, and is likely to crack the tank. When a cheap thin-wall tank bulges, the plastic stretches...heating it won't shrink it back to original dimension. I'm afraid your only option is a new tank. Ronco Plastics is your best source...they make top quality thick-walled tanks that don't distort for a very reasonable price, and have more than 400 shapes and sizes to choose from. Their catalog is on their website at http://www.ronco-plastics.com I seriously doubt that there are any baffles in the tank...it would be VERY unusual in a tank that size and quality. I suspect the X-shaped pattern you see in the top is most likely from the tank mold. Overfilling the tank wasn't the only thing that bulged it...your tank vent had to be blocked too..since you were able to pump out the tank, prob'ly with liquid waste that didn't create a permanent clog. And a good thing too...'cuz as much as the tank bulged, a strong pumpout pulling a vacuum against a clogged vent would prob'ly have cracked the tank. I'm not surprised you overfilled it...a 15 gal tank is barely big enough to last 2 people through a 2 day weekend. If you want to know just when you ran out of tank capacity here's the math: The average person uses the toilet 5x/day...average output 6-8 oz...average flush volume with most electric toilets is 1/2-3/4 gal. That means each person continuously aboard is gonna put at least 3 gals/day into the tank...possibly as much as 4. So not only do you need a new tank--25-30 gals if we can find room--butI strongly recommend you also install a gauge. Check out the Snake River AcuGage...the best on the market IMO, and very reasonably priced in the online chandlery here. Btw...where you do keep your boat? 'Cuz I'm also in AR (Little Rock)...possibly available to trade a "house call" for a sail.
Thanks Peggie
Peggie, Thank you for the information. I am in NWA, sailing on Beaver Lake. We have a fantastic club (BLSC) that is very committed to the sport. We would be delighted to have you up anytime. Check out our web site www.beaverlakesailclub.com for upcoming events, and feel free to e-mail me directly at nels.madsen@cox-internet.com Fair Winds, Nelly
Peggie, Thank you for the information. I am in NWA, sailing on Beaver Lake. We have a fantastic club (BLSC) that is very committed to the sport. We would be delighted to have you up anytime. Check out our web site www.beaverlakesailclub.com for upcoming events, and feel free to e-mail me directly at nels.madsen@cox-internet.com Fair Winds, Nelly
- Status